NEILOS

Molten salt as the key to high-temperature processes above 600 °C

While the current state of the art for molten salt components is around 560 °C, NEILOS pushes the limits to over 600 °C. This increase in temperature makes it possible to open up new process heat applications and significantly increase the storage capacity with the same salt mass. In the project, critical key components such as salt pumps, valves and innovative salt electric heaters are being developed and tested under real conditions in the technical centre. Particular attention is being paid to materials research in order to control corrosion and salt decomposition under these extreme conditions. The technological basis for large-scale industrial applications is laid by demonstrating a pumped circuit with over 2,000 targeted operating hours.

Innovative ammonia cracker for the hydrogen economy

Ammonia is considered one of the most promising chemical carriers for importing hydrogen over long distances. An endothermic cracking process is required to release the hydrogen at its destination (e.g. a German seaport). NEILOS is developing a concept for a new type of plate reactor that is heated directly with molten salt. In contrast to burners, the salt ensures an even temperature distribution, which enables the use of cost-effective catalyst mixtures and prevents material wear due to temperature peaks. The initial aim of the NEILOS project is to achieve a hydrogen yield of over 90 % at a throughput of 5 kg/h on a pilot plant scale.

Sector coupling reduces costs and saves resources

The integration of thermal energy storage (TES) into the hydrogen supply chain allows for optimal sector coupling. By temporarily storing energy in the form of heat, the installed capacity for electrolysis and ammonia synthesis can be reduced by around 20 %. This leads to considerable savings in investment costs (CAPEX). The results from NEILOS are to be incorporated directly into the planning for real industrial sites, such as the Aurubis plant in Hamburg, in order to demonstrate the economic feasibility of hydrogen production from ammonia.

Aim of the project